By Lachlan Onions
Brad Bryant’s strong season continued on the weekend as he was named in the Team of the Championship at the SA Country Championships in Whyalla.
It was a strong weekend for the South East men’s team as it claimed the SA Country Championship title in a dramatic grand final which went down to the wire.
“Obviously winning the tournament is pretty fun as well as getting to meet lots of new people you don’t get to spend too much time with,” Bryant said.
He said it was a “good weekend all-round.”
Bryant spent the carnival in the backline and was Penola’s only representative in the South East side after a string of strong performances for the Eagles and the KNTFL Interleague side.
His selection in the team earns him an opportunity to represent SA Country in a state game against Western Australia.
“Making Team of the Championships is pretty cool too, it’s always something I wanted to do and I got my opportunity now,” he said.
“I made the team last year, but there was no state game because of Covid, there was just the Team of the Carnival.
“It has been a goal of mine for a little while, probably the last few years as I get a bit older, I wanted to do it at least once.”
Bryant said one of his goals has been to play at as high of a level possible.
The Penola co-captain has been in impressive form this season and previously earned praise from Eagles coach, Brad Maney, who described Bryant as a “professional footballer playing country football.”
“My body is feeling good and I have been very consistent,” Bryant said.
“Consistency is what I try and focus on.”
Bryant will don the SA Country gear on July 30 in a curtain-raiser for the AFL clash between Adelaide and Carlton at the Adelaide Oval.
Bryant looks forward to this experience and said it would be one of the highlights of his career.
“I have never been on Adelaide Oval before so that will be cool,” he said.
“Obviously I would much prefer team success and winning a premiership at Penola but I will take the little self-successes as I go.”
